Poly(acrylamide-co-itaconic acid) (PAAmIA) and poly(acrylic acid-co-itaconic acid) (PAAIA) copolymeric hydrogels were prepared with different compositions via free-radical polymerization. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) was used as an original crosslinker for these monomers. Gelation percentages of the monomers were studied in detail and it was found that addition of IA into the monomer mixture decreased the gelation percentage. The variation in swelling values (%) with time, temperature, and pH was deter- mined for all hydrogels. PAA, which is the most swollen hydrogel, has the swelling percentage value of 2000% at pH - 7.4, 37 degrees C. Swelling behaviors were explained with detailed SEM micrographs, which show the morphologic differences between dry and swollen hydrogels. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.